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2025 was a good year to be a "Predator" movie fan, as franchise shepherd Dan Trachtenberg gave us not one but two new movies starring everyone's favorite extra-terrestrial hunters. First up was Hulu's excellent animated feature, "Predator: Killer of Killers," and then in November, we were treated to "Predator: Badlands," a satisfying new spin on the franchise that threw us in with a young Predator outcast on a mission to take on some seriously deadly prey.
If you missed "Predator: Badlands" in theaters, I've got good news: As of today (Feb. 12), the latest "Predator" movie is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+. And, while it isn't exactly in keeping with the forthcoming Valentine's festivities, this is the movie I think I'd recommend streaming this week, above all else.
It might not be quite as thrilling as "Prey," but "Predator: Badlands" is still a solid action thriller that you shouldn't miss out on — you can find out why below.
What is 'Predator: Badlands' about?
Dan Trachtenberg's "Predator: Badlands" takes us into the future and over to the planet of Yautja Prime, where we're introduced to a diminutive, determined Predator named Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi). In an effort to prove his worthiness to his father and clan leader, Dek heads to Genna (a "death planet") in order to hunt the Kalisk, a deadly apex predator. After crash-landing on the planet, Dek recommits to his quest, and while he continues his hunt, he encounters (and reluctantly allies with) a damaged Weyland-Yutani android called Thia (Elle Fanning).
In addition to Schuster-Koloamatangi and Fanning, "Predator: Badlands" also features Reuben de Jong, Mike Homik, Rohinal Narayan, Cameron Brown, and Alison Wright.
Should you stream 'Predator: Badlands?'
If you're looking to liven up your watchlist this week, "Predator: Badlands" is the movie to watch. This new chapter is a fast-moving, surprisingly funny, and exciting sci-fi thriller/unlikely buddy movie that, to me, proves that the "Predator" franchise couldn't be in much safer hands.
While I can't say I have ever really cared to know the backstory or more about the Yautja in the past, I think the decision to make a Predator protagonist is a great one. It offers the filmmakers the chance to add new layers to the fearsome foes, adding a welcome dash of humor. Dek's not just a hunter, he's also an underdog that you'll want to root for. He's also a very funny lead, especially once he's paired up with Thia (a brilliant turn from Elle Fanning).
I get why some were disappointed by the PG-13 rating, but I can't see how anyone would be disappointed by all the action that "Badlands" does contain. Sure, Dek might not be slicing and dicing human foes, but there's still plenty of carnage to enjoy here. Viewers who are dazzled by impressive visuals will be well-served, too.
While I don't think the thrills here outmatch the raw intensity of "Prey," "Predator: Badlands" deserves praise for its blockbuster, B-movie-style thrills, and it leaves us in a solid place for the next chapter, too.
I'm glad to see "Predator: Badlands" has plenty of fans: it's sitting at 86% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, with an even higher fan rating (95% on the Popcornmeter), proving it resonated with fellow moviegoers, too.
The movie earned a perfect 4/4 score from Matt Zoller Seitz in his review for RogerEbert.com, who hailed it as "an exceptional sci-fi action thriller with memorable characters, beautiful and terrifying animals (and plants), a structurally airtight script, and lead performances that deserve to be included in discussions of the year’s best".
Empire's Nick De Semlyen offered a 4-star verdict, calling it "an amped-up rock-gig of a movie and the most fun Predator since the original." Reviewing for Time Out, Olly Richards also issued a 4-star score, praising its action setpieces and the way it reinvigorates the franchise all over again, writing: "Trachtenberg is making the franchise richer with every instalment."
Basically, if you're looking for a new, adrenaline-pumping action movie to watch at home this week, you're going to want to stream "Predator: Badlands" on Hulu (or Disney+). And if you've already seen it, be sure to check out our round-up of the best movies on Disney+ for even more streaming recommendations.
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